founders

NOUN

person who establishes an institution

Synonyms

STRONGEST

architect author benefactor builder creator designer inventor organizer patron planner

STRONG

beginner constructor framer generator initiator maker originator

WEAK

establisher forebearer institutor prime mover

Antonyms

STRONGEST

opponent

VERB

go under, fail

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abort break down fall through stumble

STRONG

collapse fall lurch miscarry misfire sink sprawl stagger submerge submerse trip

WEAK

be lost come to nothing go down go lame go to bottom

Antonyms

STRONG

increase rise

WEAK

accomplish achieve succeed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The sales proceeds go to the newly public companies to invest in their future growth or to the companies’ founders wishing to cash in.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 22, 2026

The boats are made of aluminum, whose light weight helps them move swiftly to a target speed of about 14 knots, which is about 16 miles per hour, said one of Vela’s founders, Michaël Fernandez-Ferri.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026

The history of American business is filled with founders who took huge risks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026

When the founders of social media platforms and their VC backers realized self-expression could be commodified, the ad-driven, data-based new experiences were a betrayal.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2026

Yesterday, Celia had told Dimple her theory: that the founders of Insomnia Con had been in Hari’s dad’s pocket from the beginning.

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon